Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Local Artist Spearheads Campaign To Raise $20,000

Memphis native and independent hip-hop artist Steven "Soulman" Snipes is spearheading a campaign to raise $20,000 with hope of bringing a better live hip-hop performance scene to both the Bluff City and Nashville.

“Hip Hop Soul, The Movement,” is calling on all hip-hop fans to band together and contribute a financial contribution of at least $10 toward the indiegogo campaign. Every dollar donated would bring Snipes' plan one step closer to fruition.

The overall objective of “Hip Hop Soul, The Movement,” is to provide people with the chance to enjoy two back-to-back shows on a bi-monthly basis that features performances of popular artists and aspiring newcomers over live instrumentation. One show would be held in either Memphis or Nashville on a Friday; the second show would be held in the remaining location the following Saturday.

“This campaign represents the voices of millions of people worldwide who love music and want to go out and have a great time but are unsatisfied with what's being offered to them,” Snipes said in the campaign’s press release. “We all hear people complain everyday about how limited the nightlife options are in Memphis and Nashville. There seems to be a very small group of people who dictate what we hear on the radio and how we experience nightlife. It's not that that there's nothing to do, the other people have very long pockets from other businesses that allow them to effectively promote to a lot more people than we currently have access to. That's it. I'm not saying that what they do is bad. I simply want to offer the people who'd like another option an opportunity to experience our brand of entertainment on an even playing field.”

The bulk of the $20,000 would go toward booking the artists, which can be fairly expensive depending on their professional stature. The remaining money will be allocated for advertising and manufacturing merchandise, such as CDs, t-shirts, and posters.

Every person that contributes to the campaign will be treated with an advanced digital copy of Soulman Snipes’ upcoming album along with a personal thank you message written by him. However, people who donate at least $50 will receive the aforementioned benefits, but also an autographed physical copy of his album, VIP meet and greet access, a t-shirt and an autographed event poster. In addition to all of the previously-noted assets, individuals who donate at least $500 will have the privilege of being listed as a sponsor of the event, reserved priority seating for a party of 10, as well as a meal and bottle of their choice.